The Issue:
The interaction of animals with their environments is the engine that keeps the planet healthy for all of us. But for many species, time is running out as a result of risks due to habitat loss, illegal poaching, global warming and other threats.
National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore is on a mission to save species by documenting our planet’s biodiversity and finding innovative solutions to help save threatened species and protect their critical habitats. To date, he has documented over 8000 species, creating a visual archive of life on earth in an attempt to get people to care. His mission is to use photography to inspire people to take real-world action and help save species from extinction.
The Game Design Prompt:
Think of ways that humans can protect the endangered species in their communities. What can we do to reverse the effects of the extinction crisis? How can we use media (like photographs and games) to spread awareness about endangered species and incite people to take action? Create a game that focuses on preserving wildlife for the future and address the issue of endangered species.
Species are disappearing at an alarming rate around the world.
Some of the biggest threats to endangered species include habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation (hunting and poaching), invasive species, pollution and climate change.
You can help save species by recycling, quitting plastic, planting a pollinator garden, insisting on using sustainable energy, supporting your local zoos, and more!
Photo Ark is a groundbreaking effort to photograph every species in captivity before they disappear, and inciting people to take action before it is too late.
National Geographic photographer Joel Satore has photographed over 8,000 of the 12,000 animals in captivity for Photo Ark.
© Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark
The National Geographic Photo Ark is a multiyear effort that aims to photograph every species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through education, and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation projects.
Joel Sartore started the Photo Ark in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, over a decade ago. Since then, Sartore, a world-renowned photographer, has visited 40 countries in his quest to create a photo archive of global biodiversity, which will feature portraits of an estimated 12,000 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Once completed, the Photo Ark will serve as an important record of each animal’s existence and a powerful testament to the importance of saving them.
To date, Joel has completed portraits of more than 8,000 species. No matter its size, each animal is treated with the same amount of affection and respect. The results are portraits that are not just stunningly beautiful, but intimate and moving. “It’s the eye contact that moves people,” Sartore explains. “It engages their feelings of compassion and a desire to help.”
On Saturday, August 1st, 2015, Photo Ark images illuminated the Empire State Building in a first-of-its kind live video projection that showed beautiful, inspiring imagery of endangered species to the world as never seen before.
For the first time in New York City history, this stand-alone, architectural projection art event featured towering images of endangered species—more than 350 feet tall and 186 feet wide, and covering 33 floors—on the south façade of The Empire State Building in an art event meant to draw attention to the creatures’ plight against mass extinction.
Using 40 stacked, 20,000-lumen projectors on the roof of a building on West 31st Street, illuminated the night with live video projections, including (an 8 minute environmentally-focused tableau, combined with iconic imagery of endangered species, that made each 15 minute cycle running throughout the night a unique experience).
Video: Projections of the Photo Ark (2 min)
The National Geographic Photo Ark harnesses the power of photography to document species, inspire action, and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts. You too can make an impact in your own backyard!
Here are some ways you can take action today:
National Wildlife Federation (NWF): America’s oldest and largest conservation organization that works across the country to unite Americans from all walks of life in giving wildlife a voice. A great resource to learn about the threats to wildlife in the US.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – A global organization whose mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
IUCN Red List: A critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity and a source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
US Fish & Wildlife Service: A federal government conversation agency whose primary responsibility is management of fish and wildlife for the American public. Locate and learn about endangered animal and plant species in your state using this map.
National Atmospheric & Oceanic Administration (NOAA): An American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere. See NOAA Office of Education resources here.
The Monarch Joint Venture (MJV): A a partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic programs that are working together to support and coordinate efforts to protect the monarch migration across the lower 48 United States. A great resource for to learn how to create habitat for Monarchs!
Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA): A non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.
US Fish & Wildlife Service: Endangered and Threatened Species in New York
Zoos & Aquariums
The National Geographic Photo Ark is a powerful tool to teach people of all ages about our planet’s amazing biodiversity and foster a real connection to Earth’s wildlife. The project engages students in the classroom through free educational materials and activities, and inspires the public through special exhibitions, books, TV specials, features in National Geographic magazine, and events around the world. An interactive digital experience allows people to engage with Photo Ark content on our website, explore animals in the collection, and share information about endangered species with their social networks.
Ecosystems & Habitats:
Biodiversity, Extinction, Conservation:
The National Geographic Photo Ark is a powerful tool to teach people of all ages about our planet’s amazing biodiversity and foster a real connection to Earth’s wildlife. The project engages students in the classroom through free educational materials and activities, and inspires the public through special exhibitions, books, TV specials, features in National Geographic magazine, and events around the world. An interactive digital experience allows people to engage with Photo Ark content on our website, explore animals in the collection, and share information about endangered species with their social networks.
Activity: The Power of Images in Storytelling
1. Activate background knowledge about the purpose of storytelling.
Ask: What is storytelling and why do people tell stories? Have students turn and talk to a neighbor about the questions you posed. After a couple minutes, invite students to share their ideas with the class. During the discussion, ask:
Have students turn and talk again after you ask:
2. View video clips of Joel Sartore speaking about photographing animals.
Introduce the video clip “Grizzlies, Wolves, and Koalas: Conservation Photography” by explaining that Joel Sartore is a storyteller and photographer for National Geographic. Ask students to think about the following focus questions as they watch the video:
After viewing the video clip, have students talk to a neighbor about their ideas on the focus questions.
Introduce the second video clip, “Saving Animals Through Photography,” by telling students that Joel Sartore is working on a project called the Photo Ark. He is taking photographs of animals in captivity. Ask students to consider the following focus questions while watching the clip:
After viewing the clip, facilitate a short class discussion about the focus questions. Have students discuss the role of Sartore’s photographs in the stories he tells.
3. Invite students to interact with Sartore’s photos during a gallery walk.
Tell students they will walk around the room and observe several of Sartore’s photographs from the Photo Ark. Give each student several sticky notes. Ask students to pause at each photo and write or draw how the photo makes them feel. Encourage them to document their reactions, emotions, and questions and leave the sticky note next to the photo. After they have looked at all the photos, invite students to share what they felt and what themes they noticed in the sticky notes left by their classmates.
4. Ask students to write essays in response to a Photo Ark photo.
Tell students to choose a photo with which they feel a strong connection. Ask students to write a short personal essay in response to the following questions.
Activity: Park Scavenger Hunt
The wild status of all animals in The Photo Ark (and at the Zoo) is designated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list evaluates the wild populations of every known animal and determines population risks.
Use the below ‘Scavenger Hunt Worksheet’ to identify a Photo Ark animal that falls within each category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; identify the animals, the threats they face and how we can help.
The wild status of all animals in The Photo Ark (and at the Zoo) is designated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list evaluates the wild populations of every known animal and determines population risks.
Use the below ‘Scavenger Hunt Worksheet’ to identify a Photo Ark animal that falls within each category of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; identify the animals, the threats they face and how we can help.
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